Weight-indicator for loaded vehicles.



C. SHEPHERD.

WEIGHT INDICATOR IOR LOADED VEHICLES.

AIPLIOATION FILED JAN. 25, 1913.

1,088,463. E PatentedFeb.24,1914

2143514., 77. uw (762"6 Ce/S herd Z gg COLUMBIA PLANOGHAPH Co.,w^sHlN c.

hot water tank in section; Fig. 2 is an end .rod b, so as to permit the latter to move CLARENCE SHEPHERD, OF BRIDGETOWN, "WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA.

WEIGHT-INDICATOR FOR LOADED VEHICLES.

Application filed January 25, 1913.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE SHEPHERD, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Bridgetown, Vestern Australia, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in lVeight-Indicators for Loaded Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an appliance whereby loaded vehicles may be weighed in situ and the weight Aof the load ascertained.

The appliance is usable beneath the vehicle and mainly comprises three vertically movable rods which are operatively held and mounted in their standard frame.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where1n- Figure l 1s a front elevation, showing the elevation, showing the tank in dotted lines; and Fig. 3 is a plan view, with the tank omitted, and the head plate partly broken away to disclose the dial brackets. The dials are shown in dotted lines.

In said drawings, a indicates the base or standard frame, made in the form shown and having the fixed flange al. The appliance comprises three vertically movable rods, the central rod b carrying a pawl-andratchet device lil-b2, by means of which it may be rotated, as will be understood, the threaded lower end b3 of said rod working in a base b4 on frame a, so that when such rotation takes place, the rod will be either raised or lowered, according to the direction of rotation. The ratchet b1 is splined on relatively thereto.

The rod b has a rounded upper end c, which fits loosely in a correspondingly-shaped socket in the head-plate 01, whereon the vehicle mis adapted to rest, the aforementioned socket having an opening c2 communicating therewith for lubricating purposes. From said plate depend two vertically mov able rods d and (Z1 which are rigidly fastened thereto and extend through guide openings in the cap-plate e and flange al. These rods are threaded, where shown, and are fitted with locking nuts Z2 and Z3 which are designed to engage against the movable cap-plate e, and, also, to serve as collars for adjusting the tension of the strong spiral i Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

serial No. 744,229.

springs el that are interposed between said cap-plate and flange and coiled around the rods. The afore-mentioned springs el receive the load during the weighing action, and are standardized in order to correctly ascertain the weight thereof.

To the ends of the plate e are connected the rods f and f1, and these rods move up and down in unison with said plate through openings in flange al and are provided with guides g2; they are toothed in o-rder to engage with the pinions f2 which rotate the hands of the dials f3, whereby the weight is indicated. The dial spindles g and pinions f2 are held in the brackets g1 secured on the standard, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

In order to overcome any cold temperature troubles in relation to the springs, e1 a double-walled chamber or tank j is provided, which surrounds the springs and is filled with hot water.

The operation is substantially as follows The appliance is placed beneath the loaded vehicle and the pawl-and-ratchet device 52- 2 actuated until the rotation and consequent upward movement of rod b bring it into lifting contact with the headplate c1, the latter being lifted thereby to the extent necessary to raise the vehicle clear of the ground and permit the weighing action to take place. During this movement, the rods Z and (Z1 attached to said plate are carried upward therewith, together with the nuts Z2 and d3. The nuts are then turned and lowered upon the rods Z and d1 until they are caused to bind against the upper face of the cap-plate e and are thus locked in place. Vhen this has been done, the pawl-and-ratchet device is actuated in the reverse manner, so as to lower rod ,7), whereupon the weight of the vehicle will be transferred from that rod to the rods d and (Z1, and the cap-plate e and springs el. Thereupon, the said plate e1 is caused to descend, thus moving the rods f and f1 in the same direction and rotating the pinions f2 and the dial hands to indicate the weight. At the completion of the weighing operation, the main or lifting rod Z) is again raised, for the purpose of supporting the head-plate c and the load thereon, and of removing the load from the cap-plate and springs. Finally, the nuts d2 and Z3 are released from frictional engagement with the cap-plate by being moved upwardly on the rods Z and (Z1, thereby allowing the vehicle to return to its original position on the ground.

l claim as my invention zl. ln a Weighing appliance, the combination, With a load-sustaining plate; of a yieldingly-supported cap-plate associated with the lirst-named plate; a Weight-indicating device operatively connected to the second-named plate; a vertieally-movable element arranged beneath said lirstnamed plate, v*for raising or lowering the same, to transfer the load to said second-named plate; and means "for operating said element.

Q. ln a Weighing appliance, the combination, With a load-sustaining plate, and a support connected thereto; of a Weighing gear With which said support is normally loosely engaged; a vertically-movable element arranged beneath said plate, for raising the same; means tor operating said element; and means for locking saidsnpport to the Weighing gear when said plate is raised to transfer the load to said Weighing gear.

8. ln a Weighing appliance, the combination, with a load-sustaining plate, and a pair oit' depending rods carried thereby; of a Weighing gear With which said rods are normally loosely engaged; a vertically-mmv` able element arranged beneath said plate, for raising the same; means for operating said element; and means for locking said rods to the Weighing gear when said plate is raised to transfer the load to said Weighing gear.

il. In a Weighing appliance, the combination, with a load-sustaining plate, and a pair oi depending rods carried thereby; ol' a spring-supported cap-plate With Which said rods are normally loosely engaged; a weight-indicating device operatively connected to said cap-plate; a vertically-movable element arranged beneath the iirstnamed plate, for raising the same; means for operating said element; and means earried by said rods for looking the cap-plate thereto when said cap-plate is raised, to transfer the load to said capplate.

5. ln a Weighing appliance, the combination, with a load-sustaining plate; of a Weighing gear associated therewith; a threaded socket member disposed beneath said plate; a rertial rod haring its lower end threaded and l'itted in said socket, said rod extending toward said plate; and means lor rotating said rod, to raise the same and said plate and to transfer the load to said Weighing gear.

G. ln a weighing appliance, the combination, with a load-sustaining plate', and a support connected thereto; ot a weighing gear with which said support is normally loosely engaged; a threaded socket member disposed beneath said plate', a vertical rod having its lower end threaded and litted in said socket, said rod extending toward said plate; means for rotating said rod, to raise the saine and said plate; and means tor loching said support to the weighingA gear when said plate is raised to transter the load to.

said Weighing gear.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence of tn'o subscribing Witnesses.

CLAREICE SH, SPH ldll).

lVitnesses Bierman Sininnoiv,

U. WT. BURKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti` Washington, I). C. 

